Libya enters post-Gaddafi era
blogs.state.gov
Rioters protest to overthrow Gaddafi.
Nick La Bounty, Assistant Editor
September 20, 2011
Filed under News
After nearly 42 years in charge, Muammar Gaddafi’s blood-stained reign of terror has come to a screeching halt. Gaddafi took control of Libya through a military coup back in 1969, making him the longest-ruling Arab leader. Thanks to the recent Libyan civil war and creation of the National Transitional Council, Gaddafi has unwillingly relinquished his power.
“I believe the end of Gaddafi’s reign brings stability to Libya as well as peace and prosperity to the rest of the world,” senior Jake Gordon said.
Gaddafi’s ruthless time in charge included the abolishment of the Libyan Constitution, acquisition of nuclear weapons and complete takeover of the Libyan economy. This past February, the people of the troubled country finally decided to take a stand. This protest movement, known as the Arab Spring, quickly divided Libya.
“I thought it was inevitable that the Lybians would need to fight to secure their own rights to unite themselves together,” senior Stephan Phan said.
Gaddafi’s own soldiers betrayed their leader and helped seize the important city of Tripoli, the nation’s capital, which effectively forced Gaddafi to flee the country. The International Crime Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Gaddafi, for crimes again humanity.
The people of Libya now look to move on from over 40 years of pain and oppression. Even though Gaddafi still has control over his small, but nonetheless threatening, group of loyalists, the new government—the National Transitional Council—wants to take the country in the right direction. The United States, among other countries, have recently helped unfreeze about $6.6 billion from the Gaddafi regime to help the NTC govern post-Gaddafi Libya.
“The elimination of the Gaddafi regime demonstrates the sheer omnipotence of the allied NATO forces,” senior Will Mino said.
Libya wants to expand its educational and economic systems, but these changes do not just happen overnight. Before achieving these goals, Libya must face democratization, which can only happen once the country abolishes Islamism. With the help of aiding countries, Libya can progress and evolve out of its repressed state.
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